ODNR Fishing Report for 4/18/2006: OH

Article Posted: April 21, 206

**The walleye daily bag limit is 4 fish through April 30. A 15" minimum size limit for walleye remains in effect for the entire season. The Lake Erie daily bag limit for yellow perch is 40 fish. Lake Erie black bass (smallmouth and largemouth bass) are closed to possession (catch and release only) May 1 through June 23. The daily bag limit for black bass on Lake Erie is 5 before May 1 and after June 23. The minimum size limit for black bass on Lake Erie is 14". See the 2006 regulations brochure for specific hook restrictions and closed areas pertaining to tributary and bay fishing during the walleye runs in March and April. The steelhead trout bag limit is 2 through May 15 and increases to 5 on May 16. The minimum size limit for steelhead is 12 inches.**

Limits of walleye have been caught on jigs in Maumee Bay, nearshore from Crane Creek to “K” can of the Camp Perry firing range, and on the reefs of the Camp Perry firing range. Purple hair jigs and chartreuse jigs tipped with minnows have been productive. Large walleye have been caught by trollers from “A” to “C” cans of the Camp Perry firing range and NW of Kelleys Island. Most trollers are using minnow-imitating stick baits behind inline planer boards fished in the top half of the water column, but worm harnesses are also starting to catch some fish.

Yellow perch fishing has been excellent. Limits of perch were caught south of Kelleys Island towards Marblehead and Cedar Point. Most perch have been 8 to 10 inches with many up to 13 inches. Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most perch.

For Walleye Run reports on the Maumee and Sandusky rivers, visit: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/fishing/freport/walleyerunreport.htm